Safari Heat: a hot afternoon on the savanna

The old savanna favourite

Long before every studio had a Megaways safari, Playtech's Safari Heat was the animal slot many online players met first. The look is simple and warm: acacia trees, a burning sky and big African animals as the main symbols, with card ranks as the low payers. It's not trying to impress with animation; the appeal is a clear, unfussy game that runs fast.

How it works

Safari Heat is a five-reel line slot. The animals pay the most, the wild helps fill in lines, and a scatter symbol unlocks the free games, which is where the larger wins tend to arrive. The exact details, from the number of free games to any multiplier applied, are given in the paytable. Check it before playing: older Playtech titles often have small rules, such as which reels the wild can appear on, that change how you read a spin.

In the base game, expect a pattern of small, regular wins broken up by the odd stronger line when the top animals connect. It is a game with a measured rhythm rather than sudden spikes.

Playing Safari Heat free

The Safari Heat demo opens with 1,000 virtual credits, with no download and no account. To get a real feel for the game:

• Play 200 to 250 spins at a stake equivalent to £0.20.
• Keep a count of how often the scatters bring you to the free games.
• Compare a few free games rounds with each other: in a fixed-format bonus like this, the difference comes from the symbols you catch.

Who will enjoy it

Safari Heat suits players who like the classic Playtech style: a familiar theme, easy rules and a bonus that doesn't need explaining twice. If you want cascades or bonus buys, look at newer games. If you enjoy straightforward animal slots, this one is a good benchmark. The same game is available for real money at the casinos below.